Pacific Winds 20250216
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
China and US must not come into conflict, or the world will suffer, says Wang Yi at Munich Security Conference
GT 0250215
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328485.shtml
U.S. reiterates 'ironclad' security commitment to S. Korea, Japan, backed by America's 'unmatched' military strength, including nuclear capabilities: joint statement
Yonhap 20250216
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250216000200315
Japan, U.S., South Korea top diplomats reaffirm 'unshakeable' trilateral ties
Japan Times 20250215
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/02/16/japan/politics/us-japan-south-korea-trilateral-trump/
Top diplomats of S. Korea, U.S., Japan reaffirm 'resolute' commitment to 'complete denuclearization' of N. Korea
Yonhap 20250216
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250216000651315
BRICS expansion and Japan’s latent leadership in a torn Indo-Pacific
EAF 20250215
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/02/15/brics-expansion-and-japans-latent-leadership-in-a-torn-indo-pacific/
U.S. Relations With China
US DoS 20250213
https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-china/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Guam a doorway to US for Chinese asylum-seekers
VoA 20250213
https://www.voanews.com/a/guam-a-doorway-to-us-for-chinese-asylum-seekers/7974674.html
Expert Q&A: Guam ‘No Safer Today’ Despite US Efforts
Cipher Brief 20250214
https://www.thecipherbrief.com/column_article/expert-qa-guam-no-safer-today-despite-us-efforts
Island Waves
New Zealand’s Kiribati Aid Review Further Opens Door for Chinese Influence
The Diplomat 20250214
https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/new-zealands-kiribati-aid-review-further-opens-door-for-chinese-influence/
"Deal with China complements, not replaces, NZ relationship," Cook Islands PM
RNZ 20250215
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/541988/deal-with-china-complements-not-replaces-nz-relationship-cook-islands-pm
Cook Islands says comprehensive strategic partnership deal signed with China
Reuters 20250215
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/cook-islands-says-comprehensive-strategic-partnership-deal-signed-with-china-2025-02-15/
China, Cook Islands sign strategic partnership pact
VoA 20250215
https://www.voanews.com/a/china-cook-islands-sign-strategic-partnership-pact/7976033.html
Australia continues commitment with Samoa
Samoa Observer 20250215
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/113186
Taiwan pledges to support ocean efforts of the PIF
Taipei Times 20250216
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/02/16/2003831972
Taiwan + xCS
Advanced new Taiwan jet trainer crashes in setback for programme
Reuters 20250215
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/advanced-new-taiwan-jet-trainer-crashes-setback-programme-2025-02-15/
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese military aircraft and 5 ships
Taiwan News 20250215
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6038181
Chinese Navy Ships Passed through Sea around Japan’s Nansei Islands 68 Times in 2024; Number of Incidents Was More than Triple Those in 2021
Yomiuri 20250215
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250216-238845/
Exercises
US says military exercises with Philippines 'purely defensive', for force readiness
Reuters 20250215
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-says-military-exercises-with-philippines-purely-defensive-force-readiness-2025-02-15/